Rockets Women's Association hosts 'Boots to Suits' drive

The Rockets' Women's Assocation held a Boots to Suits drive to benefit Career Gear Houston, a non-profit organization that provides business training, networking skills, resume building and professional clothing and tailoring to veterans. less

The Rockets' Women's Assocation held a Boots to Suits drive to benefit Career Gear Houston, a non-profit organization that provides business training, networking skills, resume building and professional ... more

Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press

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Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, left, talks to guard James Harden (13) as he walks back upcourt during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, left, talks to guard James Harden (13) as he walks back upcourt during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) takes a shot after he was fouled going to the basket by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center

Houston Rockets guard James Harden cheers as he runs upcourt after scoring a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Rockets guard James Harden cheers as he runs upcourt after scoring a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9,

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers' Jeff Green (32) as he takes a shot at the basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) knocks the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers' Jeff Green (32) as he takes a shot at the basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) looks to pass against Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni argues a fould call during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard JR Smith (5) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) reacts after scoring on a dunk over Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jae Crowder (99) and guard JR Smith (5) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on

Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and center Clint Capela (15) go up for a rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on

Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker (4) runs into Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyle Korver (26) and is called for an offensive foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) falls to the court with an injured ankle with Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. James later returned to the game. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) falls to the court with an injured ankle with Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) takes a shot against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jeff Green (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. (

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dwyane Wade (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in

Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. (

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) get tangled up during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) steals the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer /

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) steals the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in

Houston Rockets guard James Harden cheers as he runs upcourt after scoring a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Rockets guard James Harden cheers as he runs upcourt after scoring a 3-pointer against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9,

Houston Astros center fielder smiles at a fan as he sits courtside during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Astros center fielder smiles at a fan as he sits courtside during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center on Thursday, Nov. 9,

The Houston Rockets Women's Association held a "Boots to Suits" suit drive to benefit Career Gear Houston, a non-profit organization that provides business training, networking skills, resume building and professional clothing and tailoring to veterans.

Suits and other clothing items that had been collected during the week were distributed to service members and veterans on Friday at Toyota Center.

"Our staff has been donating a lot of clothes to the Harvey victims," Laurel D'Antoni, the wife of Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni, said. "We asked our staff, in honor of our vets, to dig deep into their closets and bring some clothing to help bring our vets back to the workforce. We think Houstonians will be generous and look them up on the internet. It's careergear.org. It's a wonderful thing for us to do for these people who serve our country.

"I went to school on an Army base. I can't tell you how much they appreciate knowing we care about them. This is something we all need to do. Every little bit helps. A little bit from me and a little bit from you is a lot."

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Stephen Freeman, a Navy veteran who works as a teacher with Career Gear, said the suits do help the veterans he teaches transition into the civilian workforce.

"You interview better I think when you have a fresh suit on," Freeman said. "It's just amazing to see their faces.

"When I think of a veteran, I think of less than two percent of our population who wrote a blank check to our country worth up to their life. If they can do that, I can share the skills that I have to try to help veterans get a job, to move into a career."